Warning issued over open water swimming in heatwave

A fire service is warning people not to jump into open water to cool down during the current heatwave.

It comes after several reports of people swimming in the River Nene near Peterborough city centre.

In recent days, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service launched a short film highlighting the dangers of cold water shock, telling the story of Jack Lloyd, a 16-year-old who died after entering Crown Lakes in Farcet.

A spokesperson said: "We urge people to avoid jumping into open water during hot weather. While the air temperature may be high, the water is much colder, and sudden immersion can trigger cold water shock."

An inquest heard that Jack, a student at Peterborough College, had gone to the lake with friends and voluntarily entered the water, but struggled immediately and went into shock before submerging.

Jack's father, Darren Lloyd, who supported the campaign, has urged young people to take water safety seriously.

"It's incredibly difficult to speak out after losing a child, but we've done this to help others and save lives," he said.

"If you are a young person watching this - you wouldn't want to put your mum and dad through this," he added.

The film, released during Drowning Prevention Week and shown at the Odeon Cinema in Peterborough's Queensgate, explains the risks of open water and what to do in an emergency.

In Cambridgeshire, the fire service said there were nine deaths caused by drowning between April 2025 and March 2026 - compared with seven the previous year.

The spokesperson added: "If you do get into difficulty, remember to 'Float to Live' - tilt your head back, keep your ears submerged and control your breathing before moving to safety.

"If you see someone else in trouble, call 999 immediately. Do not try a rescue yourself, you could put yourself in danger too."

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